Reigning champions Inter kept their title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Verona in Milan today. The Nerazzurri started brilliantly and were on the front foot from the very first minute. They had a number of attempts on goal before Nicolo Barella opened the scoring midway into the first half. A few minutes later, Edin Dzeko doubled their lead to score his 17th goal of the season.
Both teams had their chances in the second half but could not cash in on them. Nonetheless, Simone Inzaghi will be pleased with the win and the three points but most importantly, with how his team played. Verona did attack in the second half but were far from clinical.
Starting XIs: Inter Make Three Changes, Verona Unchanged
Inzaghi made three changes to Inter’s XI from their victory in Turin with Stefan de Vrij and Federico Dimarco starting ahead of Danilo D’Ambrosio and Alessandro Bastoni. Up front, Joaquin Correa partnered Dzeko instead of Lautaro Martinez. Verona were unchanged from their 1-0 win over Genoa.
Barella and Dzeko Give Inter a Healthy Lead
Inter were keen on opening the scoring in the first half with Dimarco bombing forward. He took a shot on goal but Daniel Bessa made a good challenge to play the ball out for a corner. Dimarco took it and De Vrij attempted to head into the goal. However, his header went over the top of the bar.
Just minutes later, Inter won a freekick in a good position after Federico Ceccherini fouled Correa. Calhanoglu took the shot but it hit the wall. The Nerazzurri maintained their attacking intensity with Denzel Dumfries taking a shot. However, it was kept away by Lorenzo Montipo for a corner but to no avail.
Inter had a fine chance to score through Ivan Perisic. However, Montipo made a fine save from the Croat. Minutes later, Perisic made a run forward and delivered a cross that went towards Barella. The midfielder smashed the ball in the back of the net. This was his third goal of the season.
Barella later found Correa with a fine pass but the latter’s shot was blocked by Montipo. Inter continued to put pressure on the Verona backline and won a corner. Dimarco took it and it found Perisic who headed the ball behind towards Dzeko. The Bosnian tucked the ball in the back of the net to double Inter’s lead.
After being on the back foot for over 30 minutes, Verona had their first chance of the match. Giovanni Simeone looked to score but he was denied by a fine save from Inter captain Samir Handanovic.
The visitors were a lot more attacking during the end of the first half with their star-striker making a fine run to the penalty area. However, Milan Skriniar and Handanovic prevented him from finding the net.
Inter Hold on to their lead
Inter made a change during the interval with D’Ambrosio coming on for De Vrij. Dumfries had a shot on goal in the early minutes of the second half. However, the Dutchman’s shot hit the side-netting. Verona had a chance to score through Ceccherini but his shot was well wide.
Both teams made a number of changes just after the hour-mark. This included Kevin Lasagna coming on for Bessa and he instantly had a shot on goal which was wide.
Calhanoglu had an attempt on goal but it was just wide. Inter continued to attack with D’Ambrosio having a shot on goal only for Montipo to make a brilliant save.
Verona were a lot more attacking in the second half than they were in the first and Ilic’s shot went for a corner following a crucial intervention from Skriniar.
Inter eventually managed to hold on to their lead and win 2-0. It was a truly dominant display from the champions and a richly-deserved win for them. The victory will boost their morale ahead of some crucial matches that will be needed to be won.
The Nerazzurri are currently second in the Serie A table with 66 points, one behind Milan. Verona are ninth in the table now with 45 points.
What’s Next for Inter and Verona
Inter will travel to Liguria next week for their fixture against Spezia. Thiago Motta’s side have won their last two home fixtures but the Nerazzurri should be more than able to get the better of them. Verona have a tough away fixture next as they take on Atalanta in Bergamo. La Dea have not won in their last two home matches but Tudor’s side will nonetheless find it difficult to beat them.
MATCH SCORECARD April 9, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 32
INTER – VERONA 2-0
SCORERS: 22′ Barella (I), 30′ Dzeko (I)
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij (46′ D’Ambrosio), Dimarco (66” Bastoni); Dumfries, Barella (66′ Vidal), Brozovic (82′ Vecino), Calhanoglu (84′ Gagliardini), Perisic; Dzeko, Correa (59′ Gosens) (Sanchez, Vecino, Ranocchia, Cordaz, Darmian, Caicedo, Radu) Coach: Inzaghi |
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VERONA (3-4-2-1): Montipo; Ceccherini (82′ Sutalo), Gunter, Casale; Faraoni (62′ Depaoli), Tameze, Ilic, Lazovic (82′ Cancellieri); Caprari, Bessa (62′ Lasagna); Simeone (Chiesa, Frabotta, Retsos, Boseggia, Hongla, Praszelik) Coach: Tudor |
REFEREE: Mr. Marinelli NOTES: Yellow Cards: Dumfries (I), Brozovic (I); Added Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 3′